DAWNWell, maybe when you get back, we can set up for your party
tomorrow.

BUFFYYeah, this might be a while, you shouldn't wait up.
Besides, Willow promised she's on birthday patrol. Nothin' left
for us to do.

DAWNRight.

BUFFYOkay, so homework, finish dinner, and don't stay up too
late, all right?

DAWNOkay.

BUFFYGood. We'll spend time later, I promise.

EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT

Buffy, at the ready, axe in hand. Large, lumbering MONSTER rushes her,
waving a long, elegant sword. She blocks the blow with the axe, the axe
gets bent out of shape and goes flying.

BUFFYHey, I was using that!

She twists the monster's arm behind its back, but it disappears, then
pops up behind her. She kicks, it disappears again.

It reappears, leaps, she kicks it mid-air. Monster go crash. Sword goes
flying, Buffy snatches it out of the air.

BUFFY (cont'd)Man, now I gotta go smelt anotheraxe, do you
know how long that takes?

She runs the sword through its chest. It BELLOWS, shoots out a sort of
supernatural wave, Buffy goes reeling to the ground.

With Buffy's face turned away, the monster dissipates into a misty
cloud, retreating into the sword on the ground.

Silence. Buffy looks up, sees the monster's gone. As she walks off:

BUFFY (cont'd)(suave, answering theimaginary
interview)How do I do it? Well, Dan, brute strength is fine, but I
rely on a calm head, a well-reasoned intellect,>an almost
zen-like focus on what really--

She sees the sword on the ground.

BUFFY (cont'd)Ooooh, shiny.

She picks up the sword, content in her victory, and leaves.

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

Act One

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

ANYA's behind the counter looking through boxes. XANDER and WILLOW sit
at the table.

ANYADo you think we should set up lots of candles at
Buffy's party tomorrow?

XANDERNot if they're that horrible slug kind you keep trying to
unload.

ANYAI don't know why people get so turned off by slug.

XANDERHoney? Slugs get turned off by slug.(looking at Willow)
Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.

WILLOW(confused)Slugs?

XANDERThe party. Or, Tara. At the party.

WILLOWOh.

XANDERIt's just, Buffy really wants her there, seems important
to her, and I told her I would ask you.

WILLOW(overeager)Oh, yeah, of course, she should totally be
there, it'll be great!

SPIKE(teasing)Why, worried about Richard? Don't wanna make
the new boyfriend jealous, eh?

BUFFYShut up, he's sweet.

SPIKE(mimicking)Shut up, he's sweet.

Buffy heads back to the kitchen, mildly irked

BUFFYMaybe he's not the jealous one.

SPIKERight! 'Cause it's the floppy hair I find so
intimidating.

Buffy doesn't turn back.

SPIKE (cont'd) (calling after her)You think he'll take you
out on his ten-speed, pet? Maybe he'll let you ride in the little
basket in front!(to himself)Jealous my ass.

INT BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER (NIGHT)

Buffy on the couch, surrounded by Willow, Tara, Dawn, Spike and Clem.
She stares at the unwrapped gift in her lap.

BUFFYUh...

WILLOWSee? It's a battery-operated back massager, only it's
portable, so you can take it with you on patrol.

BUFFYUh huh.

WILLOWIt's like instant gratification for all your little
acheys.

Buffy glances at Spike, who wiggles his eyebrows at her.

BUFFY(quickly putting it down)Okay! Great, thanks,
what's next?

DAWN(handing her a box) Here, do mine.

Buffy opens it, removes the leather jacket we saw earlier.

BUFFY(stunned)Dawn...

DAWNDo you like it?

BUFFYIt's gorgeous.

DAWNI was so nervous. I was afraid you wouldn't like it.

BUFFYIt's still got a security tag.

Dawn's smile fades.

DAWNHuh? That's so weird, I can't believe they left that
on.

Buffy looks at Dawn, unsure what to say. Suddenly:

XANDER (O.S.)Happy Birthday, Buff!

We see Xander, Anya and Richard wheeling into the living room a
lovingly hand-crafted, intricately-carved weapons cabinet.

BUFFYOh my God.

She sets the leather jacket aside and jumps off the couch.

BUFFY (cont'd)You guys made this?

ANYAYes. Xander did the building, I offered helpful suggestions
while observing from a safe distance.

XANDER(whispering)Holds basic weapons, maybe a few
non-basic ones. And there's a CD rack.

ANYAHe wanted you to have something no one else would
have.

She hugs them.

BUFFYA Xander Harris Original. It's beautiful, thank
you.

On the couch, Dawn folds the jacket, momentarily forgotten.

TARABuffy?

Tara at the front door with SOPHIE, 17, shy, hesitant.

BUFFYSophie, hey, we're somewhere between presents and
cake.(to Xander and Anya) There... is going to be cake
eventually, right?

SOPHIE(not used to groups) Hey, um, my mom told me to say thank
you right away for inviting me, 'cause otherwise I usually forget,
sothank you, and also that I can't have any chocolate or peanuts
or egg yolks or sometimes dairy.

Beat.

BUFFYNo problem.

ANYA(sotto to Buffy) That's your friend from work?

BUFFYWell... yeah.(beat)All the good ones got picked off by
that lady with the wig, lay off.

ANYAHumm. Our friend is better.

As Sophie comes in:

BUFFYDawnie, you mind getting the door? We can do official
introductions now that everyone's officially here.

Annoyed, Dawn gets up and walks to the open front door...

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT

Dawn looks longingly out into the night, like she'd rather be anywhere
but here. She shuts the door.

Hallie steps out of the shadows, staring up at the house. Her face
CHANGES: HALFREK, the vengeance demon from Episode 12.

HALFREKWish granted.

She smiles to herself, a job well done.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

Act Two

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

It's getting late: there's food all over, empty cups and plates left
around, people starting to look a little disheveled (Willow, Xander, Anya,
Dawn, Sophie and Clem). But everyone is having a good time, there's music
and some dancing, and no one is leaving.

Dawn takes it in. She's confused, but pleased.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT

Buffy coming out of the dining room; Richard going in.

RICHARDGreat party. Everyone's having fun.

BUFFYI hope so.

RICHARDWell, look at the clock. And no one's even thinking
about leaving.(smiles/sincere)I know I can't tear myself away.

BUFFYYeah.

RICHARDHey, can I get you a drink?

BUFFYNo, thanks, I'm -- I'm good. I'm gonna head back in.

RICHARDI'll look for you.

He goes into the dining room, and suddenly, Spike is on Buffy, pulling
her into a corner.

SPIKE(falsetto)Ohhh, Buffy, might I get you a soda
pop? I think I'm in looooove!

BUFFYSeriously, stop it, someone will see.

He pulls her to him.

SPIKEMmmm-hmmm.

He takes her hand, tries to push it onto his crotch, but Tara walks in.
Buffy pulls away, glares at Spike, and walks off. Tara just stares.

SPIKE (cont'd)I, uh, had a muscle cramp. Buffy was...
helping.

TARAMuscle cramp. In your pants.

SPIKEWhat. It's a thing.

TARARight.

Tara walks away, amused again.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Anya sits on Xander's lap, giggling.

ANYANo, you go.

XANDERNo, you go.

ANYANo, you go.

We see Willow and Sophie sitting across the table, staring at an
oblivious Xander and Anya.

WILLOWOkay, it's just a beer run. I'll go.

SOPHIEI can't really, like, drink beer, 'cause, you know.
Barley. But I'll go with you to get some.

WILLOWPerfect. Here we go with the beer-getting.

A beat, then Willow rests her head softly on the table.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER (NIGHT)

Buffy, Anya, Dawn and Richard sit on the floor playing Monopoly. Buffy
hands a wad of cash to Anya:

BUFFYThis sucks. I'm out.

RICHARDNo way. I think you're doing fine.

Across the room, Spike rolls his eyes at that. He sits at a card table
with Xander, Clem and Tara playing poker.

XANDERWanna try poker?

CLEMStill say it's weird without kittens.

BUFFY(automatically)No kittens!(off Richard's look)
He's quirky.

RICHARDWe've been playing for, like, three hours. It's already
two something. You can't bail now.

ANYAYes, Buffy, stay. I want to bankrupt someone.

DAWNOh, we should totally have a slumber party!

BUFFYWell... I don't know. I guess, as long as we're all
staying up anyway.

SPIKE(for Buffy)Must be some late-night activities to keep
us busy till morning.

Buffy glares death rays at Spike. Tara picks up on it, speaks to him
quietly.

TARA How's that cramp, Spike? Still bothering you?

SPIKEWhat? Oh. Yeah...

TARA(smiles)Maybe you should put some ice on it.

As the games go on, Dawn looks around the room, taking it all in,
totally content.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING (DAY 3)

The ravages of a party that won't end: open bags of chips everywhere,
empty bottles all over, Willow asleep on the couch, Spike and Buffy lazily
playing cards on the floor, Xander, Dawn and Clem watching cartoons on TV.

Richard enters.

RICHARDXander, we have to be at work in a few minutes

XANDER(focused on TV) Okay.

He doesn't move. Sophie and Willow begin to stir.

WILLOWWait, does everyone know who they are?
(beat)Just figure it's a good idea to check.

SPIKEMe either. 'Sides, Richie, can't skip breakfast, growing
boy like you.Me, I used to love breakfast.(glaring at
Richard)In the old days, I probably would have eaten by now.

BUFFY'Course, with that new diet of yours,you wanna be careful
about what you try to put in your mouth now. Spikey.

SPIKEYeah? Dunno, tummy's makin' all kinds of gurglies, maybe I
oughta just feed on whatever's around, even if it doesn't go down
well.(smiling at Richard) You work out?

BUFFYOkey-dokey.

She grabs Spike, pulls him away. Willow goes to the kitchen.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS (MORNING)

BUFFYHey! Passive Aggressive Guy! Seriously, wanna take it
down a notch or two out there?

SPIKEWhat, poor, dainty Richard can't take a joke?

BUFFYWe do not joke about eating people in this house!

SPIKEWhat are you gonna do? Beat me up again?

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING

Tara pours milk into a bowl of cereal. Willow enters, stops when she
sees Tara.

WILLOWOh. Hi.

TARAHey. Breakfast. (beat)Didn't plan for a sleep over.

WILLOWNo, me either. I mean, it's weird. I have class, I know I
should go.

TARAI know, it's like I wanna leave, but I don't want to.

WILLOWExactly!

A nice moment of bonding... then the uncomfortable realization that
they're having a moment of bonding. Oops.

TARAWe should probably get back in there.

WILLOWYeah, see if anyone else...

TARARight. Right.

They walk out, toward the living room, in silence

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - MORNING

BUFFYI should have thrown you out thesecond you got here.
I was insane tothink you could ever just hang outwith my friends.

SPIKEAnd I was insane to think - - oh, wait. You were right,
you're insane.

BUFFYYou know what? I think it's time for you to go.

SPIKEYeah, well, can't. Daylight.

BUFFYThen I'll go.

SPIKEI'll get the door!

BUFFYFine!

SPIKEFine!

Neither of them moves.

BUFFYI'm actually trying to move now.

SPIKEMe too.

They continue just to stand there

BUFFYWell. This can't be good.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER (MORNING)

Everyone is gathered in the living room. Dawn keeps herself separate
from the group, growing increasingly frustrated.

BUFFYThere's something keeping us in this house.

XANDEROr someone.

TARAHas everyone tried to get out?

WILLOWWhat if we just, like, as a group, get up right now and
throw ourselves at the door?

XANDERAll right, count of three. One. Two. Three.

A beat as no one moves.

XANDER (cont'd) Here we go.

More not moving.

BUFFYAnd, hence, the dilemma.

RICHARDI really need to go. I mean, I have a job to get to.

ANYAI need to open the shop.

SOPHIEI have a shift at Doublemeat. (beat)Actually, I'm
okay here.

CLEMI'm fine.

XANDERTara and Willow have class, I have to get to the site.

BUFFYI know, I know, we all have places we'd rather
be.

That doesn't sit too well with Dawn.

SPIKE(sotto for Buffy) Things we'd rather be
doing.

Buffy's getting pissed at him. She ignores him and moves on.

BUFFYSo the first priority has to be finding a way out of
here.

DAWNSure. Of course you all wanna leave. 'Cause being stuck in
here with me, that would really suck, right?

WILLOW No, Dawnie, it's just, there are important things we have to
- -

DAWNYeah, I know. Important. (standing)Whatever that means,
right?

She turns and runs upstairs to her room. Everyone is stunned.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAWN'S ROOM - MORNING

Dawn throws herself on her bed, all sulky. Buffy enters, followed by
Spike, Xander, Willow and Tara. Lots of parents.

BUFFYDawn?

DAWNWhat.

BUFFYDid you do something?

DAWNMe??

TARADo you know something? 'Cause we want you to feel like you
can tell us.

DAWNWhat would I know?

WILLOWWe're not accusing you of anything. Just seems like you
were taking it kinda personal down there.

DAWNOh, okay, so you've all just decided that somehow I'm
responsible. Great, here's me basking in the love.

XANDERIt's just, you know, you're upset 'cause we wanna leave,
and now wecan't leave. Only thing missing is a corn
field.(beat)There... isn't a corn field, is there?

BUFFYListen, it's okay, Dawny. We're notgonna be mad - -

DAWNYeah, only I didn't do anything.

WILLOWYou're sure?

DAWN(getting pissed)You want me to ask my other self?

BUFFYWe just wanna try to figure out what's going on.

DAWNFigure it out yourself, I'm done with being talked to like
a kid.

She rolls over, her back to everyone.

XANDER'Cause you know, sometimes you do something that
seems like a good idea at the time, like, say, invoke the power of
a musical amulet. And thenit turns out, you know. Not so
much.

Dawn sits up in a rage.

DAWNGod! I didn't do anything, but I wish I had! Things
need to change around here. Nobody's ever around.To hell with you
guys - I'm glad you're trapped! How else can I getanyone to spend
time with me?

BUFFYDawn, if you want us to-

DAWN(practicallyscreeching)Get out! Get out! Get out! Get
out!

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING

XANDERShe's all confusing. Stay here. Go away...

Buffy sits with Willow, Xander, Anya and Spike. They all speak in
hushed tones.

ANYAI think she's possessed.

BUFFYThat'd be nice.

XANDER(to Anya)She's a teenager.

Tara enters, sits with them.

TARAPhones are all out, we're totally cut off.

BUFFYShe was so angry. I've never seen her like that.

TARAIt happens, we all went through it.

BUFFYI know, but I can't figure out why she didn't just come to
me.

XANDERWell... you've been a little busy lately.

SPIKEHey, I don't wanna keep you from all the touchy-feelies,
but maybe the encounter group could meet later? Say when we're not
trapped in a house?

TARAEven if Dawn does know something, she's obviously not gonna
help us right now. We need another way.

BUFFYSeems like our best bet is magic, something general, cast
a wide net.

XANDERBut Willow...?

TARANo. I'll do it. It's just, obviously I didn't bring any
supplies.

BUFFYAnd we don't have any in the house. We got rid of
everything.

WILLOWActually... not everything.

Everyone turns to look at her.

WILLOW (cont'd)I may have kept one or two things. Sort of.
Just in case.

Tara is clearly hurt. Buffy's not thrilled, either.

XANDERThat's great!(seeing Tara) In a very bad way.

TARAJust... bring me what you have. But then I'm doing this
alone, you need to stay away from it.

Tara leaves the room without a second glance at Willow, who sits alone
in silence, feeling terrible.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING

Tara at the cleared-off counter, book of spells open in front of her,
spice bottles, a couple plastic baggies around her. She smooshes a paste
in a mixing bowl with a large spoon.

Buffy and Xander stand with her, watching. Ready.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - MORNING

Willow, Spike and Anya stand at the front door.

ANYASo we're supposed to just wait.

WILLOWIt won't take long.

Richard, Clem and Sophie enter from the dining room.

RICHARDWhat is she doing in there, some kind of voodoo
spell or something?

SPIKEOr something.

Richard starts to lose it.

RICHARDYou want to tell me what's going on here? We're
trapped in a house by some, what, unseen force or something, who
knows what they'redoing in there, the blonde guy here - -

SPIKEWell, we can't just stay put like cattle, waiting for the
thing to pop out every time it gets peckish.

TARAI'd say we should do another spell, but I think we've tried
everything.

ANYAWell, that's not completely true, is it?

Everyone turns to look at Anya

ANYA (cont'd)Not everything. Not exactly. We're sitting
here with an incredibly powerful witch, much more powerfulthan
you, Tara, I'm sorry, only no one seems willing to say it.

WILLOWI can't.

ANYANo, see, that's not exactly true, either. Not can't. Won't.

WILLOWYou don't know how much I hate this.I don't even know if
there's anythingI could do.

ANYAYes, and a good way to find out is to sit around not
trying.(beat)That was sarcasm, by the way.

SPIKELook - -

WILLOWIt's dangerous.

ANYAWell, so is all of us dying.

XANDERWill. I don't wanna gang up on you, but... I kind of get
Anya's point.

Willow looks at Xander, stung.

XANDER (cont'd) We brought you back from it once, we're
all here, it's just one little spell, whatever happens, we can bring
you back again.

WILLOW(more determined)No, I can't. If I start, I may not
be able to stop.

Anya stands, angry, heading for Willow.

ANYAAnd whose fault is that? If you hadn't gotten so much
of it in your system in the first place - -

Spike moves to intercede, but before he can get there.

TARAHey!!

Tara's between Anya and Willow, staring Anya in the eyes.

TARA (cont'd) (stone cold)You're gonna back off. Now. She
said no, and that's it, you're not gonna make her do something she
doesn't want to.(beat)And if you try, you'll have to go
through me first. Understood?

Standoff. Willow is clearly touched. Tara focuses on Anya.

After a beat, Anya steps back.

ANYAFine. If you all aren't willing to get us out of this,
I'll do it myself.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT

Sophie and Clem watch as Anya runs upstairs.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT

BUFFYI wish you had told me.

Dawn shakes her head "no."

DAWN(embarrassed even to say it)You haven't really
been...

BUFFYWhat? I haven't been what?

DAWN(quiet)Around.

BUFFYDawn, the most important job I have is looking out for
you.

DAWNYou sound like my guidance counselor.She give you a
handbook or something?How to talk to the troubled teen?

Buffy takes this in.

BUFFYCounselor?

DAWNIt wasn't my idea, I didn't even know we had guidance
counselors. She called me out of class like I was a total J.D.

BUFFYAnd you'd never met her before?

DAWNNo. Not until yesterday.

BUFFYAnd she got you to just start talking about things that
bothered you at home.

DAWN(realizing)Uh, yeah.

BUFFYYou didn't, by any chance, express any kind of, like, wish
or something to her, did you?

DAWNUm. Maybe just a little.

Buffy takes this in, the wheels turning. Then they hear crashing sounds
from Dawn's room.

Everyone stares in disbelief as Halfrek dusts herself off and stands.
She looks around the room.

HALFREK (cont'd)What? Oh, like I would be stopped by a
sword in the chest. Flesh wound.(disapprovingly)Honestly, Anyanka,
you used to know better.

ANYAHow could you - - why would you do this?

HALFREKI told you I was going to take care of some business
while I was here in town.

ANYAYeah, but... cursing us? Some of them are in the wedding
party.

HALFREKListen, I go where I'm --(sees
Spike)William?

Spike squints at her.

SPIKEHey, wait a minute.

BUFFYYou guys know each other?

A beat, then:

HALFREKNo.

SPIKENot
really.

TARAI thought vengeance demons only punished men who
wronged women.

HALFREKNo, that was just Anya's little raison d'etre. Most of
us try to be a bit more well-rounded.(beat)Oh, and we actually
prefer justice demon. FYI.

ANYAHmmm. Well-rounded. Is that how you explain your thing for
bad parents?

HALFREKIt's not a thing, the children need me.

ANYAMmmm-hmmm.(pretending to cough)Daddy issues.

HALFREKSling all the little barbs you like, Anyanka, it doesn't
change the fact that this girl was in pain, and youcouldn't hear
it.

Dawn looks at her feet, ashamed and embarrassed.

HALFREK (cont'd)I could hear her crying out everywhere I
went in this town, itwas unbearable. And none of you knew.

Halfrek looks around the silent room.

HALFREK (cont'd) You people deserve to be cursed. Enjoy
your time together.(big exit)From now on, time is all you have.
Time... and each other. Good luck.

She waves her arms above her head in a grand gesture, leaving. Only she
doesn't leave.

HALFREK (cont'd) Wait.

She waves her arms again. Nothing.

ANYAIt's, uh... it's the curse, Hallie.

Halfrek looks at Anya, confused, then, as she gets it:

HALFREKOh, for crying out loud.(rolling her eyes)Fine,
the curse is lifted, we can all leave now. Dammit.

She snaps her fingers and DISAPPEARS.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Tara gathers the remaining magic supplies left on the counter. Willow
watches.

WILLOWThanks. For before. And for taking all this stuff
with you.

TARA(not looking up)No problem.

WILLOWJust so you know, I was never gonna use it. I mean, not
really. I only kept it like a safety net.

Tara just keeps packing stuff.

WILLOW (cont'd)'Cause there was always this thing in the
back of my head, you know, thisvoice, saying, like, what happens if
things get bad, really bad, what if you can't do it?

She moves closer to the center island.

WILLOW (cont'd)And it made me panic, so that's why I kept
a couple things. It wasthere, so I didn't have to thinkabout it.
So I could just focus on getting better.

TARAHaving the stuff made it easier not to use the stuff.

WILLOWYeah, kind of.

A beat as Tara studies her.

TARAI get it. I really do. But it's time to work without a
net, Will.

She gathers the things she's packed.

TARA (cont'd)You know, I don't know if you noticed, but it
actually did get badin there. Really bad. And you still said
no.

Tara offers a tiny smile and leaves. Willow's face looks about a
thousand watts brighter. She follows her out to:

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT

... where they join Buffy, Dawn, Spike, Sophie and Clem. Anya and
Xander carry a still-out-of-it Richard down the stairs.

RICHARD(to Xander)You have weird friends.

XANDERNews from the file marked "duh." (to Buffy)We're
gonna get him to the ER.

Anya turns to Dawn, who we see has been standing quietly in the living
room. Alone.

ANYAThen we're gonna talk about payment. And Dawnie? Two
words I want you to get used to: punitive damages.

BUFFYYou think it's worn off?

SPIKEJust one thing to do.

He reaches for the doorknob... and grabs it. He throws the door open,
and everyone clamors to get out. As they go

Dawn watches them leave, and, as they go, we hear:

CLEM(to Buffy)Good party!

TARAGod, look at the stars.

XANDERI just wanna run barefoot in the grass so I can feel the
dewdropsbetween my -- God, look at the stars.

ANYAOkay, who's shoving?

As the crowd thins, Dawn is left alone. Again. She's resigned: getting
out is good. But still. Here we go again.

Through the open door, we see Spike look around. Someone's missing.
Buffy. Dawn looks up, too, and realizes Buffy's still inside, standing at
the stairs.

Dawn looks a bit glum, waiting for Buffy to go as well. Buffy looks
back at Dawn, then slowly shuts the door. We see the beginnings of a
small, grateful smile on Dawn's face as the door shuts, closing them off
from our view.